001Okay, thank you, Danny. We're ready. There we go. Good afternoon. I'm going to call this meeting to order. If you're so inclined, please feel free to join us in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. It just gets quiet. Okay. On behalf of the board, I welcome all members of the audience to this afternoon's meeting. This meeting is a working session of the board to conduct the business of the district. The agenda for today's meeting has been published and the agenda items to be discussed and or voted on have been studied by the board members. They're also located in on the back table. Oh, which is later
002in the script. Sorry. Okay, I'm this it's been a while since I've done this. I'll get there. I would like to introduce the people participating in this meeting. We have recording secretary Peggy King, Superintendent Dr. Irish board members Elizabeth Sotek, Honran, Carson Sanderson, Kimberly Kelly, and I am Sandy Hayes. I am just starting my role as president of the board. Uh the agenda, as I said for this meeting is available online at boarddocs.com and copies are also located on the table at the back of the boardroom. There will be an opportunity for both virtual and inerson public comments to be shared during the association and public comment portion of the meeting. Community members who are interested in viewing the meeting with closed captions are encouraged to follow the link on our website to the district's
003YouTube channel. The YouTube stream includes closed captioning for both regular board me and study sessions. Uh visit nsd.org and under our district, click on schoolboard and then board meeting materials and videos. If you are here to address the board on agenda items, please sign in using the sign-in sheet on the table at the back of the room and take a number which corresponds with the line where you've signed in. If you don't want to talk, don't sign in. Okay. Uh so first order of business is the land acknowledgement and director Sota will be reading it. Thank you. We take this time to acknowledge that the Northshore School District occupies the unseedish unseated coast Salish lands that have been here since time immemorial. We honor the ways of knowing and the ways of being of indigenous
004peoples and tribal nations who are still here and thriving in our district community. We also acknowledge that this is a working land acknowledgement that will continue to invol evolve as our partnership with local indigenous peoples and tribal leaders expands. Thank you, Director Sotag. Up next is the approval of the agenda. Just a reminder uh for board members as well as people people watching. This is an opportunity um for board members to remove items to move things around to remove things from the consent agenda to an action item. It is not where we can add things to the agenda because then it wouldn't be a previously published agenda. So um is there any changes the board would like to make to the agenda as it has been published? Okay, seeing none. Um, is there a motion
005to approve the agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay, being moved and seconded. Any discussion? [clears throat] All right, I'm going to call for the vote. Okay, the agenda has been approved. Uh, up next is a section called programs and special presentations, and it's my least favorite special presentation. It is schoolboard recognition month. >> Oh, come on. See, [laughter] Director Hayes, President Hayes. Um, [laughter] yes, it is schoolboard recognition month and I have the great privilege to recognize all of you fine five leaders who are making an incredible difference in the lives of our students and our staff every day. Uh, so in initiated in 1995, 2026 marks the 31st anniversary of the schoolboard recognition month to help districts celebrate and acknowledge their school boards. This evening, we recognize our distinguished board of directors
006for their service and commitment to Northshore community. So, please join me in acknowledging and thanking the board directors, Director Kimberly Kelly, Director Han Tren, Director Carson Sanderson, Director Elizabeth Sotac, and President Sandy Hayes. And um before I ask you to stand up and come up for the front for the photo and to receive your certificate, I um I just that was very formal. I just want to take an informal moment and say as a new new superintendent 7 months now here I have to say this is the the systems and the procedures and the ways in which this board governance is one of the best that I have ever experienced. It's one of the many reasons I wanted to be your superintendent and I'm grateful to work with you. You have made profound differences. When
007a board district governs the way that you govern, you help create the systems and reduce the noise for the adults in the organization so that we can focus on what's best for kids. And you all are exemplar in helping lead in that way. And not only that, you are actively involved in the community, engaging with the constituents, bringing feedback in real meaningful feedback loops, working with our legislators, helping making sure that the community as a whole is a healthy place. So, not only are you making a difference here within the Northshore School District, but you as a body and you as individuals continually make a difference in the community and in the region as a whole. And for that, I am incredibly grateful and honored to be working with you. So, with that, I'm going
008to pass out some wonderful certificates for you, and we'd like you to come down to the front so that we can take your photo and honor you. [applause] [laughter] >> Pretty much about every other meeting there's a picture involved. >> [laughter] >> Yes, you can open them and show them a perfect model. There you go. >> [applause] >> I know. [laughter] Yeah. >> Oh, wait. That's >> wrapping your own present. >> Exactly. Oh, wait. I Okay, that's done for another year. [laughter] Okay. Next up is uh the portion of the meeting where we have association and public comments. Uh the Northshore School District board of directors is set aside a period of up to 60 minutes to receive updates and comments from the district association leaders and community members as referenced in multiple policies adopted
009by the board. We what? Oh, I skipped you. I'm so sorry. God, this I will get better at this. I promise. It's >> okay. [snorts] I can go after. >> No, no, please. Yeah, hold that thought. We'll come back to that. >> All right, >> we're going to let the superintendent do this report. >> I don't have to talk. >> No, [laughter] please talk. >> All right. Thank you. Um, first of all, I have not seen you all really since uh as a body since the holidays and I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and spent time relaxing and being with your family and friends and whatever it is that you do to ground yourself and make yourself happy. Um, I also, um, so we've had a lot going on over the last, um,
010several weeks since we last met. I've had many, uh, school action plan visits. I've been fortunate enough to, uh, participate with, um, Ruby Bridges Elementary, Hollywood Hill Elementary, Coiny Elementary, Frank Love Elementary, Fernwood Elementary, Inglemore High School, Woodenville High School, Sorenson Early Childhood, as well as Leota Middle School. I've also um participated in a formal school visit um which I do on a regular basis. Um and this time I got to visit secondary um academy for success and boy I I got to meet with the staff and the students there. What a magical place. This is my first formal visit there. Truly truly a place connected to kids to ensure that they pass and or that they uh get past that graduation line that they're ready for life beyond um beyond high school. and hearing
011the kids testimonies of how those staff and the principal um engages with them to make sure that they're successful. It was tear it was just tear I I they're incredible. Um and then um I also have visit I'm I'm trying to as I'm onboarding into the system wanting to understand and learn more about our CTE programs. So I had an opportunity to visit Inglemore High School and Basel High School with the sole purpose of just unpacking and learning about their CTE offerings. And then Woodenville will be next. Um, I've been able to continue my What Matters Most tour that is ending here soon. Um, I have a few more left. Um, but this last week I was able to meet with our East Asian uh, community and learn from them what matters most. Um I've
012um formerly met recently with the Northshore Schools um foundation as our touch base and then um and and then uh director executive director Campbell um led her first meeting with the family engagement task force and I had the opportunity to be a part of the beginning of that task force as we start to unpack and understand the ways in which we're using our family engagement specialists and our vision and model around family engagement in the Northshore School District. Um, I've had um my first leadership meeting. It's a new leadership meeting structure with the our three city managers of Kenmore, both and Woodenville as well as the president of Cascadia and the chancellor of UDub bothl. And we're going to be meeting on a regular basis um as leaders in the community um just building relationship
013and learning uh more from each other and in support of of our community. I also had an opportunity to um meet with my student advisory board again um as we started to learn more um and get feedback from them. They were able to um we're going to start building out our year-long plan of the things that they're most interested in. Um and then our uh we attended I was with um uh director Han Tron um with uh regional we went to the regional town hall on the education funding recently um where we had an incredible turnout of our students. You would be so proud of we had four students and I have cards here that I'm going to pass down for you to um send your thanks to them. Um but we had four students
014who helped facilitate and engage in conversation with our legislators. They one of our students um he um he was actually facilitating the time limits on our legislators telling them how many seconds they had and interrupting them when they would go over. I was this is as um uh as as the team said to me in the um while we were watching like that is hard for adults to do and the fact that he was doing that was incredible. [snorts] Um, we also heard from Chris Reichdoll, Superintendent Chris Reichdoll, as well as Dan Steele, who as many of you know is retired from Wasa, but um is a um he he he's a consultant now working on legislative action and um financial um literacy for our districts. Um and then um the other districts that participated
015are Belleview, Isaqual, Washington, Mercer Island, Nor um of course Northshore, Reton, Riverview, Shorelines, Nocomi Valley, and Tquila. So, that concludes my update for the last month. >> Thank you. Any questions for Dr. Irish? >> Okay. >> I do have a question. >> What's a CT? >> Oh, CTE. Good questions. >> Okay. I'm going to um repeat that because uh Director Kelly didn't have her microphone on. So, go ahead and ask that again because it's an excellent question. I do have a question. What is a CTE? >> CTE is career and technical education. So it's one of our pathways for students who want to pursue pursue career in technical education beyond high school and during high school. >> Yes, we are so acronym heavy here in education land. So thank you for asking that. That's a
016great question. Okay, back to my spiel about association and public comments. Sorry, Dr. Irish. Um all right. As referenced in multiple policies adopted by the board, we expect all parties addressing the board to present their comments in a way that is civil and respectful. This means that whether we are school directors, district staff, students, members of the community, or some other guest, we must f all follow the same standard of civility during schoolboard meetings. Please speak directly to the board and address matters related to district operations, policies, procedures, and agenda items under consideration by the board. Washington law requires that all board that the board limit its business and discussion at the board meeting to only those items that have been captured in the previously published agenda. What that means for us today is that
017any public comment regarding items that are included in the published agenda will be taken into consideration by the board when the topic is addressed during the agenda. Any topics brought up during public comment that are not included in the published agenda agenda cannot be law by law be discussed at this meeting and so will not be addressed or receive a response during the meeting. In either case, depending on the nature of your topic or questions, a district employee or a board member will follow up on any comments that relate to district business. Please note that the board's me board's silence during public comment is neutral. It is neither a signal of agreement nor disagreement with the speaker's remarks. Also, please note that a comment should not make reference to any employee or representative of the
018district by name or by identifiable an identifiable reference. If you are interested in making comments or complaints regarding an individual, you may use the complaint process available through the office of the superintendent. Finally, remember that your words have impact and you, not the school district, are responsible for your words. We caution all speakers that it is possible that your statements could violate the rights of others under various laws, including laws protecting privacy and laws prohibiting defamation. If you are unsure of the legal effect of your remarks, you should seek independent legal advice. In any case, we ask that you help us model for our students what a respectful and inclusive community looks and sounds like. And that sounded really scary for all our students in the room. Yes, that was designed for adults. I am
019not worried about you, but we have had to write that for some of our adults. Okay, we're going to start with associations. Are there any associations? >> Yes. And introduce yourself. Hello, my name is Jennifer Drury. I'm here representing Northshore Council PTSA tonight. Um, I just I want to echo what Dr. Irish said about the town hall. Um, and we we want to extend our appreciation to the students who dedicated their time to help plan and facilitate the January 7th school funding crisis town hall at Newport High School. By elevating the conversation around education, funding gaps, asking incisive questions and pressing for clarity, you not only deepened the community's understanding of key concerns and complex issues, but also reinforced the importance of accountability in the conversations with our legislators. Your voice truly matters and we
020are proud of our Northshore student advocates. We would also like to acknowledge and thank schoolboard director TR for your attendance. We would also like to thank Dr. Irish and de deputy superintendent Burge and executive director Campbell for not only attending the event but also collaborating and helping prepare content for the event. We deeply appreciate your part partnership with this important task. And then also I would like to draw attention to um focus day which is coming up on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and um we're very glad that three of our school directors will be joining PTSA on this day. Um we will have uh carpool down to Olympia that day. So if you're interested um you know parents and community members are welcome to join us as well as students and we like to
021highlight student voices in Olympia as well. Um, so for more information you can go to Northshore Council PTSA and I understand we're going to talk about more about it during new business. But and also on a quick personal note, I just like to say that as a substitute teacher, I w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w wed some outstanding um work by our teachers at a couple of our area high schools in the last couple weeks and I'm just so impressed with how they are engaging students with really um rich material and empowering the students in um you know in their own
022learning and setting them up to really be in charge of of their learning and um enhancing their skills. So, thank you educators. I really appreciate it. >> Thank you. Any other associations? Okay, seeing none, we're going to move to public comment. Um, you will have 3 minutes. There will be a timer on the big screen and um it will count down from 3 minutes. When you have 30 seconds left, it'll turn yellow and then red and then it will disappear. So, if you look up and it's blank, the screen doesn't have a timer on it, that means your time is up. And unlike our student, I am terrible at interrupting you and saying your time is up. So, please um be mindful of the three-minut time. That way, everybody has a chance to speak. We're
023going to start with the person who has number one. Um, and uh, and I apologize. This was actually instituted back the last time I was president because it turns out I don't didn't learn phonetics when I learned how to read. So I can't read names and pronounce them. So that means that that's why you have a number one. Um, just go ahead and put it on there and state your name. It what there. State your name for the record and share your thoughts. >> Good evening members of the Northshore School District Board. My name is Alicia Kim and I am a sophomore at North Creek High School. Um, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight. Um, I'm part of ACT, which is the AAPI curriculum team. And today I'll be walking you
024through who we are, our mission, and why AAPI education matters, the values this curriculum fosters, what it can look like in practice, our next steps, and how the board can support meaningful change. So we are a group of students who believe that curriculum should reflect both the world and our communities that reflect within it. So as students in a district where a significant portion of the population identifies as Asian or Pacific Islander, we've seen firsthand that our current curriculum does not fully reflect our histories or experiences. So though we come from different backgrounds and grade levels, we share one goal to build a curriculum grounded in truth, inclusion, and belonging. Over the past months, we've listed we've listened to peers, educators, families, and community members to understand what's missing and how to address it thoroughly.
025So ACT's mission is to ensure Asian-American and Pacific Islander histories and experiences um that are accurately represented across Northshore School District's curriculum. So this mission rests on three pillars. Accuracy, education, and accuracy, education, and inclusion. So what is AAPI? AAPI stands for Asian-American and Pacific Islander. Combining communities from East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. This umbrella includes immense diversity in language, culture, migration history, and lived experience. In both over one in three identifi residents identify as Asian or Pacific Islander. And within Northshore School District, roughly two out of every five students identify as Asian. So understanding AAPI identities is essential for culturally responsive classrooms, reducing stereotypes, improving cross-cultural communication, and ensuring all students feel seen. Expanding AAPI education isn't just about adding content. It reshapes how students understand American history. It
026diversifies historical narratives beyond Western perspectives, improves critical thinking through multiple viewpoints, and increases engagement for students whose identities are reflected in coursework. Research from similar districts shows ethnic studies based education leads to higher attendance, stronger participation, and improved academic performance. Thank you for listening. >> Thank you. Next up is number two. >> Can I just start whenever? >> You may start whenever you're ready and by introducing yourself. >> Okay. Hi, my name is Nathan. I'm also part of AAPI and I also attend North Creek High School. And I'm just going to continue what she was saying. So basically core values we aim to foster is first pride and heritage. Next is going to be empathy and cross-cultural understanding. Third, challenging stereotypes, including the model minority myth. Fourth, awareness and systematic inequality and resilience. And finally,
027critical thinking across complex interconnected topics. These values directly align with NSD's goals of inclusivity and global competency. Now, what would an AAPI curriculum look look like? Well, an AAPI curriculum is interdisciplinary and enriching. First, history is we'll be talking about immigration and exclusion laws. Literature will be Asian-American novels, poetries, and memoirs. And finally, this content, it wouldn't just enhance, it would replace existing curriculum and be integrated across all subjects. Now, what are our next steps? Well, ACT is committed to long-term progress. We will continue advocacy, expand student and community outreach, collaborate with educators to integrate lessons, work towards approval of dedicated course, and host events celebrating AAPI culture. Our goal is sustainable change, not a one-time initiative. Now, what can the board do for us? We respectfully ask the board to include AAPI curriculum in
028district level P planning, support pilot level programs to test and refine lessons, encourage teacher collaboration, training and curriculum development, and we are asking for partnership guidance and the opportunity to grow this responsibly. Representation cannot wait. Curriculum shapes how students understand themselves, their peers, and finally the world. With your support, both can lead Washington State in building accurate, inclusive education that reflects its community and prepares students for the future. It is time to act now. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. So, that concludes public comment. We appreciate um all of your attendance. You are welcome to stay for the rest of the board meeting, keeping in mind that what was brought up during public comment is not on our agenda. It is some pretty riveting stuff. Uh we've got some policy adoption. Anyway, the point
029is if you wish to leave now, you will not offend us is the point of all that. Okay. Uh up next is the adoption of the consent agenda. Is there a motion to move? >> So moved. >> I move that we approve it. >> Second. >> Okay. Being moved and seconded, is there any discussion of the consent agenda? Okay. Hearing none, I'm going to call for the vote. Okay. And the motion uh the consent agenda passes. Next up is our one action item. It is a project acceptance that's over a million dollars. I'm going to turn it to Dr. Irish to explain. Yes. So, this is um project acceptance of over $1 million. So, it's a pro one project was completed during this reporting period over 1 million which requires your approval. Uh HVAC equipment
030electrical improvements um and replaced dry sprinkler system at the Bear Creek Northshore Learning Options campus and we recommend we recommend your approval. >> Thank you, Dr. Irish. Is there any discussion on this? HVAC systems are pretty exciting. Yes. >> Just want to make sure we're clear because it says the forecasted construction cost is actually 3.4, but this is for a million dollar approval. How does that work? >> Over a million. I was thinking under. Excuse me. I retract that question. >> It's the little alligator symbol. I >> Hey, now. [laughter] >> Sorry. I just thank um all of our voters for passing bonds so that these sorts of things can be done. Thank you. >> Yes. And and our Bear Creek campus needs some love. So, we're very happy that we were able to take
031care of them. Okay. Seeing >> Oh, I I was ready to move when you let us know. >> All right. Um Okay. So seeing no further discussion um I will entertain a motion. >> So moved. >> Nice to second. >> You did it. You did great. And it was moved and seconded. Um okay. Any further discussion. So I will call for the vote. Okay. And the motion it the action item is adopted. Next up is a performance review for newborn members and perhaps audience members who are new to this process. We are a policy governance board and so we have um performance or parameters uh that we review pretty much on a monthly basis. And so this this month the winner is the student learning environment. It's parameter 7. It is a very meaty parameter.
032You guys got to dip your toe in last month with a less meaty one. But this is this is the work. Um, so the way this works is we um I'll first turn it over to Dr. Irish to present the monitoring reports. Then we have a discussion and then we vote on um what our thoughts are on the information that is presented. So Dr. Irish. >> Great. Presenting for your approval this evening is the monitoring report for superintendent parameter 7 student learning environment. I certify that the information contained in this report is true as of January 12th, 2026. I also deer by certify that with the information evidence provided within this report that I comply within the requirements set forth within this parameter. I also want to add that as we're having conversations about um
033possible revisions to the parameter reports um and the goal reports and and aligning and creating coherence with the strategic plan and the annual operating plan that this is an example of one which um should not be a surprise to you because we reported much of this in a goal report recently. Um, and so this is an example of possibly some redundancies. Um, and that we will be cleaning up and thinking and presenting to you recommendations for possibly where this might fit. A bulk of this might fit within a goal report. >> Thank you, Dr. Irish. And just um to let board members know, you have paper copies of the parameter itself, all which is available to the public on our website, as well as the report um is in your blue folder. and then the
034uh piece of paper that we're going to fill out later. So, um all of this is publicly available information and will all be used in May when we um review evaluate the superintendent. So, just so everybody understands how this all works is whispering. >> You you are the only one who has the physical report. Um the other four board directors have it online. [laughter] Okay. But you do all have the copy of the parameter and the piece of paper. Okay. All of and again uh the information we have received is also publicly available and attached in board docs. Okay. With that what thoughts do board members have on the report that we have received? It's a lot of words. Um, so I appreciate the fact that the racial educational justice department is still wrapped into
035this. I know there's a new name for it. I am still learning the new name. >> Actually, I'll I'll clarify. It's it's uh not a new name. Uh the our our executive director who oversees the racial and educational department also oversees student support services um as well as some other programs. And so as a result of that, her title has changed to represent all of those wonderful departments that she oversees and work that she oversees, but the racial and educational justice department still remains intact. >> Oh, wonderful. Thank you for that clarification. >> So, I'm glad to see that it's integrated in there, just because as led, I have this top of mind. There is a bill coming forward this session about um restraint and isolation. And I see there's a lot on here about
036restriction and absolutely no corporal punishment that has not been allowed by law for a few years. So something we might want to keep an eye out for. Um otherwise it's a very wellwritten report and it was a lot to read. >> Thank you, Director Tren. >> I I can go next. Um I appreciate that it was only eight pages. [laughter] bad. That felt like Cliff's notes. Um uh and and one of the fun things about this report is that as you read it, you think about things that you even mentioned in your superintendent report about the student advisory council and all of the ways that student voice is being utilized uh in different things that the district does. um as well as you know um thinking about the different ways that students have access to
037different things like their rights and responsibilities and how they can learn what those are in different ways. Um and then it's just a reminder of all the things that are being being done to help keep our students safe in a variety of ways during the school year. So, not just with physical things, but the other ways where we're teaching kids how to responsibly use their computers and how to access internet and different parts of the internet safely and responsibly. Um, cuz I have a newer internet user at my house and we are learning all about those boundaries daily. Um and and a lot of her education and things that she says have come directly from the education she's getting at school about, oh well, my teacher says that adults lie online sometimes and so I
038shouldn't trust anything an adult I don't know says online. So shout out to her teacher. [laughter] Um but yes, I like the report that it was thorough and I agree that it seems to overlap with some other things and that putting things together makes sense. Also being new this year, I appreciated that there was the history of what the three years, you know, the previous year of the plan for the three-year program for um RHA is working on so that I know what has been done as well since that wasn't necessarily something I was thinking deeply about before people started poking at me in March. Um at least as long as far as it responded to the larger group. Um, I also, uh, appreciate the care in rights, rules, and responsibilities and the clear outline
039of how we move through, um, levels of discipline um, based on um, how severe the incident was and how um, if it's being repeated and so that it moves up um, so that it's easier to apply clearly. Um and also that uh the high school and middle school assistant principles work together with the executive directors of the school to look at what was assigned over time and see if there are disproportionalities that are appearing so that they can correct those. Um and finally I also appreciated that um we are utilizing Panorama with custom questions to check for um belonging and um security and believing that there are staff on campus that students believe that they can go to and that would care about them individually. >> Uh thank you for this. In addition to the
040things that the other directors have noted um and kind of building on what director sociate the digital citizenship that we are growing as someone who was a digital learning coordinator in my past life um this is near and dear to my heart and I also think um as was noted in here that it's very um intertwined with the mental health of our students. Um, but something else that's near and dear to my heart is when school districts not only acknowledge but have a plan for how they may be contributing to the schoolto prison pipeline. and seeing that directly referenced in this report and the agreements that we have with uh the cities that we serve and how we are supporting our students to make sure that we are focusing on restorative justice as opposed to
041um prosecution um or in other districts where kids have just been kicked out of the district. um it just really warmed my heart to see that that's the direction that we are heading in as a district. So, thank you for that update. >> Great. Thank you. Um I don't have much to add. Just a reflection that the work that we are doing is adaptive to whatever is happening at a global level, a national level, a state level. um and that we don't have to react to what's happening, that we are already doing the work to make sure our students feel safe and valued and respected in the student learning environment, whatever is going on. Um and so I appreciate that. Okay, any further discussion, thoughts? Okay, seeing none, um what happens next is we take
042a vote. We have three options for what we will vote on. We can uh find the superintendent is in compliance with P7 the student learning environment. We can say that uh he is making adequate progress towards compliance or not in compliance. So is there a motion? I move that we find superintendent parameter or the superintendent in compliance with parameter or P7 student learning environment. >> Second. >> Okay. [laughter] Thank you. All right. Um being moved and seconded to find the superintendent in compliance. Is there any discussion? Okay. So, I will call for the vote. In the meantime, you're going to fill out your piece of paper. This one doesn't have a place for your name, so you got to write your name on it because it will go in a purple folder. Okay. Um, if
043you haven't had a chance to vote yet, if you can pause writing and click on the screen. Okay. And that uh passes. Okay. Um, thank you very much. Next up on the agenda are some information items. So this is just an opportunity for us to learn about, you know, things like budget. What did I do now? >> I did do it again. I skipped something. I was so excited to move along. All right. So next up is a policy review. It's a review of Lord. Uh review of the superintendent parameter 7 student learning environment. This is a a de facto part of our agenda. After we do a policy, then it's an opportunity to review. I will remind the board as well as the public that we have two board members in the process of
044doing a very deep dive into all of our pol policy our parameters. Um I'm making sure they know that they are doing that. Okay. Yep. Um [laughter] and uh so there is some pretty extensive work already being done on that. If um board members have any thoughts on this one in particular, as Superintendent Irish said earlier that a lot of the things here directly are repeated in other places and so take as we do a dive, we'll look at how this incorporates into other things and see if We can either have everything at be at the same time or um move things around a little bit. >> Yes, we could also recommend eliminating parameter 7. [snorts] >> As long as we don't end up with 13 parameters. Okay. [laughter] It's an unlucky number. >> Well,
045maybe we'll do more than one. >> It's not like we have 13 months to review it in. >> That's right. Okay. Okay. Uh, hearing nothing else, now we will move to information items. Uh, first up is the district budget status report for November of 2025. Dr. Irish, >> attached for your review and information is the November 2025 district budget status report. >> Okay. Any questions for Dr. Irish on this? is it is many pages of information. Um I will just keep planting the seed with new board members. It's an opportunity to revise our budget status report to meet the needs. Um so as you go through these over the we'll get one a month obviously um over the next couple months as we head into summer um be thinking about uh what information you find
046useful and what ways of presenting the information that will be uh most effective. And I continue to love that our headcount continues to come in above projection. That makes me happy. >> I also was looking on page it well it says page four but it feels further down um about the general fund and the little black dots are this year or this school year. Um and it's it's higher [laughter] just a little bit but it's higher and that always makes me happy. >> [snorts] >> Okay, seeing no further uh discussion or questions, up next is the capital projects fund allocation report for November of 2025. Um Dr. Irish, >> attached for your review and information is the capital projects fund allocation report for November 2025 with colorful photos. >> Uh that's the next one. I
047think this one's just numbers. >> Oh, never mind. Sorry, I must have I must step a step. >> It's a theme. >> I was just really excited about the colorful photos. >> Yeah. Yeah, we'll get to that next. Um okay, same thoughts. This is um a relatively new um agenda item, the capital projects um budget report, monthly budget report. So um it was a request of some previous board members for this. So again, as you read through it, is it what information are you finding helpful and is it presented in a way that um helps? Any questions about this particular report? >> I have a question. Um so we have all the the capital projects stuff that's for the 2018 bond and 2022 bond and then technology level and all of that. And then at
048the top it's um unrestricted. And what I don't know it's undesated funds, but but like what is um unrestricted? What does that section mean? >> Okay. And we're going to phone a friend. >> Yeah. >> Executive director Drew Ralph come up and answer that. >> Help me. >> Greetings. Our undesated fund is really a result of uh generally um real estate purchases or sales that we have made over the years. Uh there is a minimum fund balance that we're required to keep of $10 million set by the board. Um but this enables us to make purchases of real estate when we need them. Uh and then if there's other capital purchases that or capital needs that are beyond the scope of the bond and maybe an emergency kind of way, it's uh the fund that
049we would use to do that. >> Thank you. >> I'm just happy D was going to say the same thing. >> [laughter] >> I don't have a question, but just I'm trying to figure out when I should bring these things up because it's related to Ledge again. But this CAP funding, um I have an interest in that just because the push back currently from legislators on approving the bill and having the political will to approve a bill that takes bond voting threshold from supermajority down to a simple majority. is that they don't want to have to fund more bonds. And it's I'm assuming it's because of SCAP. It's not like we're getting money from them through the bond approval, but they're covering SCAP funds. So, yeah, it's construction. Oh, um, what does it stand for
050again? >> Yeah, school construction assistance program. So, it' be helpful to know, I think, what our total scap is so we can gently convey that information to legislators. >> Good evening, [laughter] Deputy Superintendent Bergie. Um, [clears throat] so SCAP for us is very tiny. Probably 5% or less of our construction costs are covered by SCAP. And I just want to say for the record, the SCAP program has been underfunded, not underfunded, underutilized for years. So they've set money aside in the in the capital budget of which school districts have not been even been able to access those dollars because not enough bonds are passing. So I think that we could pass quite a few more bonds and probably catch up with the money that they set aside for us that we can't access. >> Yeah,
051I agree. Thank you. >> Yes. So, just to clarify, you have to pass a bond in order to receive construction assistant from the state. If you can't pass a bond, you don't get >> funding. Yeah. Yes, we can. >> Somehow that seems to say that the simple majority makes more sense if we can't use the money if it doesn't ever pass. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Logic. >> Okay. So many fun things to find out about school funding over the next Okay. Any further discussion on that? Okay, now we're moving to the pictures. So, the capital project status report, Dr. Irish. >> So, a report is attached for your review with colorful photos reflecting the current status of the 22 uh growth projects at Leotaa Middle School, Inglemore High School, Crystal Springs Elementary, and Fernwood
052Elementary. >> I love this one. It's so good. I see. It's >> exciting to see some of them getting closer to done, too. >> Right. I see walls at Inglemore. That's exciting. >> Yes. It used to be this gigantic pit like so big. The picture doesn't even do it justice. It was like a cityscape that got >> something went wrong on Sims. [laughter] We would like to thank our generous voters for approving the um bond in 2022 to help us fund these things for our students. Um it is because of you that we are getting shiny new buildings and updating a lot of the other buildings. Um and support from all of our voters really makes our school district a better place to sit yourself and be a part of it. um because we have
053modern safe buildings. >> Thank you, Vice President Sotac. And it's been student consistent student feedback when we visit schools that students would really like to have modernized spaces um and spaces where things don't look like they're from the 1970s. So this and it's has a functional aspect to it as well because if students are in environments where it looks like we care about them, we've modernized it, then they can typically learn better. We also have different uh needs these days with more technology, needs from more outlets and things that you get when you renovate buildings that you didn't necessarily have when they were in their older status because those weren't needs then. Um, so it is really important to just keep moving forward with this sort of progress and with this voter support we appreciate
054so that we can keep doing that and hope that this continues. >> Great. Thank you. Um, any further discussion? We get very excited about our capital projects work. Up next is a project accept acceptance. This is information items on projects that were under a million dollars. Dr. Irish. >> Yes. Two projects under 1 million have been completed during this reporting period. These projects consist of kitchen modernization at Wellington Elementary and fire alarm and sprinkle sprinkler inspections at various locations within the district. >> We want we want to talk about sprinkler systems. Those are pretty exciting. >> They are. and they're really important because if you don't pass those sprinkler inspections, you cannot be in the building. So, um it is fantastic that we are doing this in a timely manner so we don't get caught
055off guard. Um especially with the February freeze season coming up, it's really good to make sure everything's right where it needs to be as far as all of our water stuff. Okay. Uh, next up is a signed construction agreement with the city of Kenmore. >> Yes. Authorization was granted by the board on December 15th, 2025 to sign the attached utility and drainage easements in conjunction with the construction of city of Kenmore public works operation center to be located adjacent to the southside of Kenmore Middle School. This is not related to an NSD construction project, but has been requested by the city of Kenmore. This transfer allows the utility district to assume responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the water supply pipes and valves. This type of agreement is considered routine in such situations. The
056city of Kenmore is proceeding with the construction of their public works operation center. The location of the site is directly south of Kenmore Middle School. Due to site restrictions, the city of Kenmore has requested to route their storm water and other water facilities through and connected to existing infrastructure located on the Kenmore Middle School property. In order to facilitate these utility connections for the behalf of the city of Kenmore, Northshore School District is required to execute easements with both the city of Kenmore and Northshore Utility District. The easement and a diagram of the easement area are attached for your review. That goes right through their parking lot, doesn't it? >> But it's all under it. >> Right. Because that's a fairly new parking lot. >> So is it none of this work is going to
057impact students in the least? Right. >> No. >> Fantastic. >> The the pipe is already in existence. They're not going to be digging up the >> I believe it is. Is that true? sort of. Yeah, there will be not a lot of disruption. It's just giving them access to our existing infrastructure and adding to it. >> Given our recent atmospheric rivers, it's nice to know that that part of the school is going to be taken care of. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> Okay. Seeing no further discussion, we'll move on to the signed construction agreements for the 2022 bond projects at Fernwood Elementary. >> Yes. Thanks to our voters for approving the 2022 bond. One routine construction agreement for Fernwood Elementary has been signed during this reporting period under the guid guidelines of administration administrative procedure 9246P.
058Notice of construction easements and agreements for these projects was submitted to the board on August 28th, 2023. The easement replaces one that was presented to the board on December 8th, 2025 due to a small change in the dimensions of the easement area. The this easement defines the services to be provided by Alder A al Alderwood Water and Wastewater District and the corresponding obligations of the school district. The system has been completed and accepted by the Alderwood Water and Wastewood Wastewater District. The agreement provides that the water district be granted an easement along the route of the water system to permit inspection and maintenance. This report is for information purposes only. No action by the board is required. The easements include diagrams of the affected area and they are attached for your review. Okay. Eastman always
059a hot topic. All right. Seeing no further discussion, that concludes our information items. Up next is board reports and communications. And the first up is new business. Do board members have any new business? >> So, yeah, I've got my post-it note, but go ahead. Let's see how many you can cross off. >> Okay. So, um I had on my list we wanted to talk about the PTA day at the capital. Um the public education advocacy day on the 29th and um probably the Nusa award banquet if other members wanted to attend. >> You you you nailed it. I just have one more so that's good. Okay, let's start in order the way you brought them up. So, as was mentioned during um Association of Public Comments, the PTA focus day, their legislative advocacy day in
060Olympia is Monday, January 19th. I know we have three board members already attending, so it is already advertised as a public meeting. It is free. So, if there's any other board members that decide to attend between now and Monday, um that that is your choice. Um definitely encourage you bring your kids. It's an opportunity to meet. The PTA coordinates the meetings, so you are there as part of the PTA and will be attending um with other members and sometimes with other district PTA members. Okay. Next up, as we had awareness raised over the weekend at the the um legislative conference that many of us attended, the WASDA was all the acronyms um are having their advocacy day on Thursday, January 29th in Olympia. Um that was new information for us that uh attended. Um so
061we're looking to see if who would be interested in attending and then um we as W was and WASDA members are on our own to organize the meetings on that day. And so we need to have a conversation of who will be doing that coordinating whether um our advocate uh Cliff uh Cliff uh will be making those appointments or Peggy King. So that we'll let them fight that out as to which one is going to do that. Um I know we haven't had a lot of time to process that, but um before we start making uh any appointments, let's see if anybody would will be going down to Olympia that day. >> I'm on a commission that day, so I'm out. >> Okay. I have paid work to do [laughter] my my job. >> Okay.
062I am currently available. >> Okay. Um and I am as well. So we'll have two for sure. And Director Kelly, you don't have to answer right now. >> Maybe. >> Yeah. And I believe this also is free. So the only reason we would need information from you as to whether you're attending or not is whether to publicize it as a public meeting. So um >> is uh is our day on the hill also kid-friendly? >> Absolutely. Pretty much all things are kid-friendly here in Northshore. But yes, it is. We encourage children to attend. >> If a two-year-old is welcome, then I can probably go. >> Okay. >> I'll have to make sure I get a substitute. >> Okay. Um All right. And so then we'll we'll let um staff figure out who will be making
063those appointments. >> Yes, it will likely be Cliff. >> Okay. >> But we will work out those details. >> Okay. Excellent. Thank you. Um we are very fortunate here in Northshore that our legislators want to meet with us when we come. So we have good response rates when uh we're asked. So um yes, we'll coordinate very early departure to Olympia that day. Okay. Um and then um I'm going to let Director Carson explain the next one because um she's kind of their point of contact on that one. So, um, the North Urban Human Services Association is having their annual banquet on the evening of the 28th. Um, it's from 5 to 7 and they asked me to, um, come and present an award that, uh, North Creek student has earned. Um, and so I will
064do that, but also any other board members are welcome to come and attend. So I already RSVPd and so we just need to know out of the three of you in order to publicize or not. I think >> that is correct. Um so that would be Wednesday and again you don't have to and we are working towards making this a more sustainable job. So don't feel like you have to attend everything. Um so that's Wednesday night January 28th. It is not a district event. It is a partner, if you will, um event. >> I will actually be participating in the Northshore Special Education Community or their their meeting that night and also trying to ski. So, we'll see how that works. [laughter] Yeah, I am also multi multiply committed that night as well. Uh what
065what time is it at? >> 5 to 7. >> Uh it's unlikely that I can. >> Okay. So for now, we will not be publicizing it as a public meeting and director Kelly, if that for any reason changes, um please let uh Peggy King know >> within enough advanced warning. >> How long is it advanced warning in this um system? agenda 24 hours. >> Yeah. So, >> Wednesday afternoon. >> Okay. Monday the like 26. Yeah. >> 24th. 23rd. >> 26th. >> Yep. Okay. Great. And then um one more new business item from me. Um last fall when we were divvying up who was shephering the goals, we uh only did a several because we had some board members rolling off. New ones coming out. So go the strategic plan goals two and four need shepherds.
066There's a more official name that we're calling it, but that's the only thing that's coming up. >> Can you explain a little bit about what shephering means here? >> Yes. So um you will there will be an executive director, assistant superintendent that is assigned uh each one of the five goals. A board member also is assigned and you work with them to help put together the presentation. Mostly it's just yes. I think that's information the board is looking for and then and you're presenting it in a way that uh is useful. There will be no chia pets in our presentation. Oh, she's not even paying attention over there. [laughter] >> And what is goal two and what is goal four? >> Excellent. Good questions. So, goal four is our innovation one. >> That's my favorite
067one. Critical thinking, innovative, creative thinking. >> But two is pretty good as well. >> Uh so goal two is the responsible, resilient, empathetic learners. Uh and goal four is innovative, creative, critical thinkers. That work very you essentially need Carson and I to pick one. >> Do you have a strong preference? >> Uh I'm I'm happy to do either one. Do you have a strong preference? >> I'll do four. >> So just an FYI, we are um trying to Peggy, just remind we're pairing up veteran >> Oh, that's right. board directors with new board directors during these goal reports so that you are um not alone >> and that [snorts] you um have someone to help. >> Would you like to be paired on goal two with me? >> I would love to be and I
068can do four as well if that makes it easier for everyone else because I love four but I love to like >> have to jostle for four. [laughter] Okay. I I will partner with you and then we'll we'll see how that goes. >> For for now, unless Director Tran tackles me and takes four away, >> I would never. [laughter] [snorts] >> Okay, that was all I had for new business. Anybody else have anything? >> New business or was that board reports? >> No, new business. Okay. So, I am told that ledge rep updates are in new business. >> You It really doesn't matter. You can do it now. You can do it in um board member reports. It It kind of flexes and >> it depend it depends on where we're at in the calendar
069year. It's entirely up to you. Your call. When would you like to do it? >> I I don't care. Uh I can do it now, I guess. >> Okay. >> All right. Um so, lots of updates from ledger role. I think a majority of us were at the Wasa WASDA Wasbo I'm not going to spell out those acronyms um legislative conference this past weekend and there's a lot of good information in there some of the highlights and this is mainly for the public and for those who weren't there if you're curious the three main goals because usually we have something called the big three um which we had the big three last year which was um matern materials, supplies, and operation cost or what we call MSOC and getting funding for that. And then um
070we had transportation and special education from last year's legislative session which was a more a longer legislative session because it was an odd year. Now that we are in an even year, we have a shorter legislative session. It is going to be over by March. And the three the big three that was shared during the legislative conference was um still MSOC. We want to make sure that we get funding for that. And the two that got changed out because it's a short session, not because the other two goals are not important, but because it's a short session and we know that the state is not going to have a lot of funding. In fact, they're going to be facing billions [snorts] of dollars in cuts. we are asking them to hold the line and one
071of the ways we're asking them to hold the line for public education K through 12 specifically is to make sure that we are exempt as schools public schools from the sales tax that passed last year. So on accident um public schools K through 12 were included in uh this sales tax which will cost Northshore roughly $1.8 million. um we can't have that shortfall. We need that 1.8 million for our students and our educators. So, we're asking them to make um public education exempt from that particular sales tax. Um [snorts] and then the third thing outside of MSOC and exemption from that sales tax is what was it? >> Unfunded mandates. >> No unfunded mandates, which we are already seeing some unfunded mandates come in. They're wonderful to have if we actually had funding to support
072them. So that's those last two are part of >> sorry. >> Yes. And relief from the unfunded mandates that do exist. So um those are the big three for this short session. We already have a I'm happy to report a student a nor student who will be testifying on behalf of one of the bills um related to behavioral health that is supported by representative Milan Thai. She had requested um this particular student to come and and testify. I think it was actually at 4:00 today possibly. Um and then as part of legislative priorities, I also attended the first legislative district um session report with our three reps, Senator uh Stanford, Representative Der, and Representative Cloba. And they answered questions from and it was at both Library or Yeah, it was cute. Um so we're at
073the Both Library. It was pretty full. Um they were essentially the panel and they took questions from the audience. Um President Hayes, you were there. Trying to think if anybody else from Northshore admin was there. I think it was the two of us. Um, and so one of the things [clears throat] that I wanted to highlight and I want to always thank our legislators for helping us and and making sure that we're getting our um big three um recognized, but also the fact that Senator Stanford explicitly wrote in increasing funding for education last year and it's still on his priority as I look at the flyer. So really appreciate support from our legislators there. Um, if anyone is curious to take a look at any bills that you might be interested in as it relates
074to public education, you can always stop by the WASDA bill watch. So, WASDA is spelled WSSDA stands for Washington um, state school district association and that's the uh, big association that all the well most of the school board directors in Washington state are part of. I think there's 256 of us total or something like that. >> Actually, all 295 school boards are legally required to be part of >> WA. That's right. 295 school board um [clears throat] directors cuz there's seven in Seattle. They're special. Um, and so you can, if you have any bills that you're interested in, any topics you're interested in, whether it's the environment, whether it's climate, whether it's um, transportation [clears throat] or um, behavioral health, whatever, you can use that website to track the bill. It's specific to public education.
075Otherwise, there's been wonderful updates to our legislative website, and you can navigate that much more easy. Now, that's an update on my end. Thank you, Director Tran. >> Okay. Any further new business? >> I only have my one new business, which is um on January 28th. Also, um the Northshore Special Edish Education Community, PTSA, will be hosting a legislative session preview for Northshore and they're going to have um Nancy Chamberlain there. I will also be there to talk about legislative updates and what may or may not be impactful for students with disabilities. Um things that are coming out of this session. Um so it's at 6:30 or 6:15. There's two different times listed places. So we'll just go with 6:15. >> I will try and log into that when I get free from the other.
076But since I knew you were going, I knew I could say yes to the other. >> Yes. That's the other nice thing about the bill watch is you can actually put in the category you're interested in. So we did just before this um meeting uh vice president Sotac and I just looked at any bills within public education dealing with SPED because there is that category so you can focus down in on that. Okay. Any further new business? Okay. Seeing none, we will uh move to board reports. And first up, as earlier noted is Vice President Sotek. All right, mine is nice and short because of break, which was amazing. Um on December 8th, participated in the study session that was after our board meeting. And on the 9th, I attended a social emotional learning support
077night at Kimmore Elementary to learn about all of the ways that students are supported in the school. So, you know, heard from the school psychologist and the family support specialist and um all of the different ways that students are being supported and and what to do if they need more support. Um which was nice. It was a small turnout cuz it was the 9th of December, but so you got a lot of personalized attention. Um, and then I took a break because both my kids were home and that is a lot. Um, and then [laughter] on the 5th of January, I attended the district sponsored presentation by Emily Kercher Morris about twice exceptional and neurode divergent learners and how to support them in schools. And um teachers were also able to attend the training during
078school days um to help with their work, especially the work we're doing with um multi-tered systems of support around supporting kids with a variety of different learning needs and who need access to education in different ways than traditionally expected. And that is all. >> Thank you, Director Sotek. Next is director Kelly. >> Uh along with Dr. Dr. Director Sanderson, uh I attended >> Great. So people didn't hear my misprononunciations then. Um along with director Sanderson, I attended the North Urban Human Services Alliance meeting on December 13th at Kenmore City Hall. Um and along with um four three other directors I attended the legislative conference through WAZA, WASDA and WSBO uh this past weekend at December December 9th through the 10th. Um >> oh sorry >> we knew what she meant. >> January 9th through the
07910th of the year of 2026. [laughter] >> I messed up the year. >> Thanks for catching that. I actually wrote December on my paper. Uh so those uh those were the the uh things that I attended over the past couple weeks. >> Thank you, Director Kelly. Next up is Director Sanderson. >> So on um December 10th, uh along with Director Tran, I attended the Latino family gathering um and got to experience um their holiday celebration, the Pada, which is really cool, and learned that my Duolingo needs extra work. um but was passible to sort of at least understand. So that was exciting. Um on the uh let's see on the 11th I attended a the Northshore School Foundation meeting. On the 12th I grabbed my North Creek alum and we went to the boys and
080girls varsity basketball games to support the pep band. Um on the 13th along with um Director Kelly I went to the North Urban Human Services Alliance. It was an introduction to human services for elected officers. So that was kind of cool to get an overview of what they are and what they do. Um and then I attended on the 9th and 10th the legislative conference. >> Great. Thank you. And director Tren, >> let's see. Also on December 8th, 2025, uh, attended the board meeting, the study session, excuse me. And then December 9th, um, 2025, attended the WASDA legislative representative network meeting on the same day. Oh, sorry, not the same day. And also attended multiple regional town hall planning meetings, mentoring student speakers. They were amazing. They taught me things. Um, December 10th, um, as
081director Sanderson mentioned, I attended the Latino family night. Um, it was wonderful to see the first celebration of PADA, and your Spanish is much better than mine, so I need to work on it. Uh, December 9 or sorry, 15th, um, I attended a meeting with our chief academic officer of Adai Dunham and Dr. Craig Foster to review goal one success in the early years. I learned a lot from that too. Um December same day December 15th 2025 planning for um legislative session um met with uh board President Hayes Superintendent Irish um Deputy Superintendent Bergie and Larry. Uh sorry I think I have the cliff. [laughter] I don't know why I wrote Larry down. met with Cliff, our advocate, our district advocate. Um really the discussion was around uh not just legislative planning but also the
082f federal liaison role which um this year we are opting out because we cannot afford to send anybody from our district. Um also the same day uh attended a quasi judicial disciplinary hearing. Um let's see. I think I missed. Okay. December 18th I attended the citizens for Northshore schools as the liaison for the board. Um that is the the just to pro provide information to them. That is the advocacy group for our bond and levies. Um and then first I attended the first legislative district meeting. I think that was a couple weekends ago. I don't have the date for that. Um but that was with Senator Sanford, Representative Cloba and Representative Dor. And then of course attended the um Wasa Wazda Wasbo Legislative Conference January 9th through 10th. Thank you, Director Tran. Um a lot
083of overlap. Um however, on Saturday, December 13th, I attended the Santa breakfast that is put on by the Northshore Rotary. It's an opportunity for uh families in need to receive coats and toys and have a picture taken with Santa. Um I was there with the foundation and we distributed uh about a thousand books to our students in our community. So, um, so much fun to watch. Um, their joy to try to explain to someone with a a seven-year-old where English was not the first language that perhaps Bleeak House by Charles Dickens may not have been um the her favorite book at that moment, but she would not put it down. So, off she went with it. So, um, attended uh the What Matters Most tour for Portuguese speaking families. It was um just a good
084reminder that uh the challenges that face our Spanish speaking families are also being faced by our Portuguese speaking families. So work to do there. Um attended the student advisory meeting right before break. Um always a great opportunity to meet our amazing amazing advocates. I attended the NSEA lunchon again right before break. Since coming back um I have continued to attend PTA meetings. um also went to the first legislative town hall kickoff where I learned that whether it's true or not they claim that they do not understand the impact of the sales sales tax on services to schools. So um for all of you listening we have um an opportunity to provide that information to make sure they understand what the impact is. um and also attended uh citizens for Northshore Schools uh meeting and then
085again along with most of the board attended the Wasa Wazda Wasbo legislative conference um where we several legislators shared with us that they could not commit to no unfunded mandates this session. So again more opportunities for advocacy shall we say. All right with that that wraps up this afternoon's board meeting. We are going to adjourn.